Gratitude

The month of November was a month of reflection on gratitude.  Each first grader got his/her own gratitude journal.  We worked 2 times a week to reflect on what we were thankful for at school, home, in our family, etc.  

We loved heading outside on Wednesday afternoons to find a quiet spot on campus.  Students enjoyed our paths and the opportunity to look around before we settled in.

Being outside is always a favorite time for our crew.  Students enjoy exploring new areas.

We worked each week to increase our stamina of sitting quietly while we independently reflected on what each of us is thankful for.  

Once we were able to sit for 15 minutes in silence, we ventured with our fourth grade buddies on a gratitude walk.  Students enjoyed walking with their older buddy down to a local park.

Once we arrived, students sat, observed and reflected quietly for 15 minutes.   

 I encourage families to start journals at home where families can sit, observe and reflect.  This quiet time each day is a great habit to start!

Winter Is HERE

 First grade loved getting our first taste of winter.  The students loved playing in the snow and exploring the outdoors.  Students played and collaborated together.  I was delighted to see each students big smile and hear the stories of how much fun they had.

Please remember that we go outside when it is cold.  It is crucial that students always have a pair of mittens/gloves and a hat in his/her backpack.  Also, students need to have a heavy coat as even when it is too cold to go to recess, we will take a quick walk outside to get our bodies moving and our brains thinking.  Plus, what child doesn't love to look at the snow.

Students can only play in the snow if they have snow pants and boots.  Please watch the weather and pack up these items so that your child can enjoy this magical time of year.
Thank your for helping our first grade crew get to go outside and play!  Please read this article to check out why it is so important for your child to play outside each day, even in the winter.  Thank you for your support!

Case Study #4 - Grand Friends

First, each child shared their own small moment story.  This helped build the relationship by getting to know each other. Next students listened to a story from their grand friend's life. Each student actively listened and took notes.

We have started our 4th case study, Telling Someone Else's Story of our Learning Expedition, Everybody Has a Story.  Students traveled to a local assisted living facility to meet their new grand friend.

We returned to school to start our first draft of the grand friend small moment.  Students also began their drafts of a high quality portrait of their grand friend.  We returned a second time to again continue the process of building a relationship and asking clarifying questions to revise the story.

Case Study #3 - Telling Our Story

First graders have been persevering to write our detailed small moment (personal narrative) story.  Students wrote 5-7 detailed stories and then selected one to revise, edit and eventually publish.

Students worked on a strong lead so that the reader would want to keep reading his/her story.

We worked hard to read a lot of mentor text to brainstorm details that help our mental image.  Students worked to add describing words and feelings to their stories.  Finally, we edited our stories with our 4th grade buddies.  They helped with conventions and spelling.

Lastly, we persevered to write our hight quality final draft.  Then we shared these stories with our friends in Mrs. VP's crew and our new grand friends.

Students are learning that hard work and perseverance pay off.  We can't wait to share these stories with your at our Celebration of Learning on Tuesday, December 6 at 6 pm.

Student Led Conferences

Thank you to all the families who came to listen to your child at his/her student led conference.  The students worked hard at putting their student portfolios together and personalizing them.

We spent crew time this week, practicing alone and with friends from class.  Students persevered to have the courage to engage in public speaking.

We discussed criteria with our 4th grade buddies from Ms. Lindsey's crew as we practiced presenting to them as well.

I can use a level 3/4 voice.

I can make eye contact.

I can sit still.

I can sit up straight.

I can speak clearly.

We also practice our long term learning target:

I can actively listen to others.

~eyes on the speaker

~mouth quiet

~body still.

Problem Solving

As a CREW, we are working hard on problem solving throughout our day.  In CREW, we are working to problem solve during collaborating in: groups, our relationships and with any conflict that arises.  We use CFR to express how we feel.

We use restorative practices to help us problem solve when conflict arises.  This may mean we meet as an entire crew or I may take individual students or small groups in the hall to talk and problem solve.


In math, we are problem solving using strategies in both addition and subtraction.  Students are excited to teach you their strategies at Student Led Conferences.  

In reading, we are working on problem solving tricky words by using multiple strategies.  The students have been reflecting on themselves as readers and what they are doing to help themselves.

In writing, we are working on problem solving writing words.  Students are using multiple strategies to help spell words.  Students are reflecting on their writer's notebooks to see what strategies they use most often.

You can support problem solving and independence at home by asking:
How can you problem solve this?
What strategies can you use to help yourself?

Healthy Kids = Smarter Brain

Healthy habits are a big part of being a student who is ready to learn.  Teachers wear workout clothes on Wednesday to encourage students to BOWOW (Bike or Walk on Wednesdays) and to teach students about our Colorado State Health Standards.

 In regards to healthy eating, we discuss green light, yellow light and red light foods.  Green light foods are foods we should eat a lot of!  We encourage students to eat 2 green light foods per meal.  Green light foods help us feel good and exercise.  Yellow light foods are foods that are good for us too.  Red light foods are foods we should STOP and think about.  These are foods for special occasions.  How can you help at home?  Serve green light foods at each meal and send them for snack.

Hydration is so important for our brain.  We take breaks throughout our day to drink water.  You can help at home by offering water and encouraging your child to drink 2 water bottles each day.

We are meeting Colorado State Standard for Physical and Personal Wellness by eating healthy, drinking water and exercising.  Students should be moving 60 minutes per day.  Here at school we do lots of recess and enjoy our time in P.E. 

You can help at home by helping your child play outside 30-60 minutes each day!

Lastly, we also discuss emotional and social wellness.  Colorado State Health Standard states that students should demonstrate how to express emotions in healthy ways.  Many problems are discussed and solved through brainstorming at morning CREW or end of day CREW.  We use "CFR".

C is for compliment or complaint...."I like it when..., "I don't like it when...."

F is for feeling.  "It makes me feel...."

R is for request.  "Next time, please..."

In first grade, we are working on expressing our feelings in a calm voice without yelling, crying or harming others.  

Ask your child how CFR works and practice it during meal time.

Thanks for helping our kids stay healthy, both physically and emotionally!